How to convince others you’re still relevant — Hint: start with yourself (from Fixable)
Jan 10, 2025
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Julie Freeman, a digital artist and TED Fellow, joins Anne Morriss and Frances Frei to tackle relevance in the rapidly evolving worlds of tech and art. They explore how experience can be misvalued in favor of youth, offering insights on navigating the perceptions of ageism in creative fields. Freeman shares her innovative project linking fish movements to music, illustrating how art can intersect with nature and technology. The trio discusses maintaining confidence while fostering collaboration with younger artists to ensure lasting impact.
Older professionals must actively shape perceptions of their relevance while leveraging their extensive experiences in evolving job markets.
Embracing modern communication and social media is vital for older employees to connect with younger audiences and maintain visibility.
Deep dives
Challenges of Age and Relevance in the Workplace
The episode discusses the growing challenges faced by older employees as they navigate a multigenerational workplace, now populated by up to five or even six distinct age groups. Increased longevity and advancements in health allow individuals to work longer, but this also leads to ageism and the need for older workers to assert their relevance in an ever-evolving job market. As the workforce changes, older professionals often confront insecurities about being viewed as outdated while simultaneously trying to share the wealth of experience they possess. This dynamic creates a unique environment where the conversation around age-related narratives and workplace dynamics is crucial for fostering inclusivity.
The Role of Perception in Professional Relevance
A key insight revolves around the perception of relevance versus actual expertise, particularly through the experiences of Julie, a digital artist. She grapples with feelings of being overshadowed by emerging younger artists despite her extensive background in technology and digital art. The discussion emphasizes that it is not just about one's vast experience; rather, actively shaping how others perceive that experience is essential for maintaining professional value. This complicates the notion of expertise, as staying engaged and relevant in popular discourse becomes equally important as having a long history in a field.
Leveraging Experience for Current Relevance
The conversation emphasizes the importance of using past experiences to create value in contemporary contexts, citing examples like Kara Swisher, who has successfully remained relevant through adaptation and continuous learning. Practically, this means framing expertise in ways that acknowledge the lessons of the past while actively engaging with current trends and technologies. The discussion highlights that rather than demanding respect for past accomplishments, one should contribute insight to present discussions, effectively transforming experience into a teaching and mentoring role. This approach encourages older professionals to take charge of their narrative and actively participate in defining their relevance.
Empowering Self-Promotion for Continued Growth
The dialogue also touches on proactive strategies for self-promotion, underscoring that sharing one's work and connecting with younger audiences is essential for maintaining visibility and relevance. Julie is encouraged to embrace social media and educational partnerships to reconnect with the art community and the general public, allowing her innovations to reach broader audiences. This includes leveraging current communication mediums to stay connected with evolving narratives in the art world. The notion highlights that taking responsibility for one's visibility and engagement is not merely an ego trip but an essential part of honoring and sharing one's contributions to the field.
Experience is not always seen as an asset in a world that equates innovation and youth – particularly in fast-moving industries like tech and art. How do you convince others that your work still matters…now more than ever? This week, Anne and Frances help digital artist and TED Fellow Julie Freeman break free from her own story about aging and relevance.
Together, two of the top leadership coaches in the world, Anne Morriss and Frances Frei, move fast and fix stuff by talking to guest callers about their workplace issues and solving their problems in 30 minutes or less. Both listeners and guests will receive actionable insights to create meaningful change in the workplace — regardless of their position on the company ladder.
And they can solve YOUR biggest work problem too! Text or call 234-FIXABLE or email fixable@ted.com to be featured on the show next season.
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